Steam electric iron



Pl'l 29,1947 F. BuscH Erm.

STEAM ELECTRIC IRON Filed oct. 2a, 1945 Patented Apr. 29,7` 1947 v2.4192105 I STEAM ELECTRIC moN c Fred Busch, wapwatosaana Alfred Wild,Mn-

waukee, Wis., assignors to American Thermo Appliance Co., Milwaukee,Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application October 28, 1943, SerialNo. 507,980

Th'e present invention relates in general to improvements in the art ofpressing or ironing fabrics, garments, and other materials or articles,and relates more specifically to various improvements in theconstruction and operation of electrically heated irons or the like.

The primary object of our invention is to provide a new and usefulelectrically heated iron which is simple in construction and eiiicientin use.

Many different types of so-called steam electric irons have heretoforebeen proposed and used with varying degrees of success, and in most ofthese prior nat iron assemblages the steam which is delivered to thesurface of the article being ironed, is generated directly within thehollow body of the iron by the electric heater which also serves to heatthe ironing plate or shoe. The steam thus generated is relatively moistan'd frequently results in delivery of drops of water upon the surfaceof the work; and in the case of many s4 claims, (c1. .es-77) delicatefabrics, such deposition of liquid thereon is extremely objectionableand often results in ruination of the article. Then too, it is sometimesdesirable when utilizing/flat irons of this type, to be able to quicklyand eiectively shut 0H the steam delivery and to utilize the devices asordinary irons, and so far as known, none of the prior steam electricflat irons are adapted to be thus converted in a rapid and effectivemanner. Another defect inherent in many of the prior electrically heatedirons-is that the thermostats are not conveniently accessible forinitial setting, and the operator is notelectively safeguarded againstexcessive heating of the manipulating handle; and while it is desirableto utilize handles formed of plastic and other materials which cannotwithstand high temperatures, the insulation heretofore alorded betweenthe metal bodies and the handles was not Sunicient to permit the use ofsuch non-metallic handles without great danger. Still another ob-'jection to the prior electrically energized irons of the improvedelectrically heated steam iron was the location of the normal heatcontrolling devices in relatively inaccessible places, and in positionswhich also complicated the construction and assembly of the mechanisms,thus making th'e prior nat irons of this particular type relativelyobjectionable and unsatisfactory for various specinc reasons.

It is therefore a more specific object of our present invention toprovide an improved steam electric nat iron which obviates all of theabovementioned defects and objectionsin a most effective manner, andwherein the electric heaters are thoroughly protected against ingress ofliquid.

Another specic object of the present invention is to provide aself-contained steam iron where- 2 V by preventing possible undesirabledeposition of free liquid upon the article and insuring quick drying ofthe work.

A further specific object of this invention is to provide an improvedunitary steam iron wherein the steam is generated directly Within theunit, and in which the delivery of steam to the work may be quickly andeectively cut olf at the will of-the operator.

Still another specific object of the invention is to provide an improvedelectric iron in which the manipulating handle is most effectively heatinsulated from the relatively hot` body of the assemblage,thus's'afe-guarding the operator against injury while also`protectingthe handle.

An additional specific object of our invention is to provide an improvedflat iron assemblage havingsa vreadily manipulable heat control devicewhich is conveniently accessible, and which avoids undesirablecomplications in structure.

Another added object of the inventionls to provide various'lmprovementsin the construction of electrically heated steam irons, whereby themanufacturing cost of such devices is reduced to a minimum, th'eeiiiciency is enhanced to a maximum, and the aesthetic appearance isgreatly improved.

These and other objects and advantages of our invention will beapparent'from the following detailed description.

A clear conception of the several features con stituting our presentimprovement, and`of the mode of constructing and of normally utilizingsteam electric nat irons built according to the invention, may be had byreferring to the drawing accompanying and forming a part. of thisAspecification wherein like reference characters designate the same ousviews.

Fig.`1 is a part sectional side elevation of one or similar parts in thevariassemblages, part of the electrical connections having been omittedfor th'e sake of clearness, and the section having been taken centrallythrough the device;

Fig. 2 is a top view`of the lower shoe of the iron, showing the threeelements for the shoe to the body, in section;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section through th'e body and shoe, taken alongthe line 3--3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse horizontal "i section through Vtheupper forward portiony of the in the generated steam is super-heatedbefore being delivered to the article being pressed, thereshoe showingthe structure for super-heating the steam and for delivering the same tothe pressing face.

While the invention has been shown and described herein as beingspecifically embodied in an electrically heated steam iron assembly ofparticular shape and design, it is not our desire or attaching Figs. 1and 3.

intent to thereby unnecessarily restrict the scope or utility of theimproved features.

Referring to the drawing, the improved'steam electric iron showntherein, comprises in general a main hollow body 8 formed of suitablemetal and providing a liquid confining chamber 1 having a removableliquid supply plug 1' at one side thereof; a lower plate or shoe 8having a smooth bottom face 9 and being ilrmly but detachably secured tothe lower portion of the body G by means of a front clamping element Iand two rear clamping bolts II coacting with the heel of the shoe-8 nearthe opposite pointed corners I2 thereof; a pair of electric heatingelements I3 coniined between the bottom of the body 6 and the top of theshoe 8 and being controllable by means of a bi-metallic thermostat I4disposed within a rear central recess I5 of the body; a manipulatinghandle I8 coacting with the top of the hollow body 6 through front andrear heat insulating pads I1, I8 respectively, and each having a seriesof transverse parallel air circulating holes I9 therethrough; a steamdischarge iitting 28 secured to the upper front portion of the casing 6and being connected to the clamping element I0 by means of a tubularmember or riser pipe 2I and a special nut 22 having a valve seat 23formed thereon; a double acting manually controllable steam shut-0Hvalve 24 mounted within the fitting` 20 and being cooperable with theseat 23; a steam super-heating coil 4 recess I5 of the body 6 may alsobe of any desired type. I'he thermostat I4 is ordinarily provided withmake and break contacts 35 one of which is adjustable relative to theother with the aid of the axially movable screw rod 30 so as to vary thedegree of heating of the shoe 8 by the heating elements I3: and thethermostat adjusting wheel 29 which is journalled for convenientrotation in the rear central portion of the handle I6, should beproperly calibrated and marked so as to indicate the proper setting fordiilerent kinds of work to be performed. The

25 directly engaging the fiat heating elements I3 and communicatingatone end with the pipe 2I through the clamping element I0and at itsopposite end with a sealed dome or chamber 2s having a plurality ofsteam outlet ports 21 leading to the lower shoe face 9; an automaticsafety valve 28 associated with the' upper front portion of the casing 6and chamber 1; and a manually adjustable heat control wheel 29 coactingwith a threaded axially movable rod 30 which cooperates with thethermostat I4.

The main hollow body 6 is preferably formed of a light but durable metalsuch as aluminum, and the internal chamber 1 of the body 6 is normallysupplied with a quantity of liquid 3I such as pure water, by removal ofthe supply plug 1. The lower peripheral edge of the body 6 is providedwith an integral iiange or lip 32 which snugly engages an upstandingridge 33 formed integral with the shoe 8 so as to effectively conilnethe heating elements I3 and the Super-heating coil 25 between the body 6and shoe 8, and to positively prevent liquid from reaching these partswhen the chamber 1 is being iilled. The lower plate or shoe 8 isconstructed of relatively hard heat resistant material, and the pointsI2 formed on the heel of this shoe are provided for the purpose offacilitating certain ironing operations. As previously indicated, theshoe 8 is firmly but detachably attached to the body 8 by means of therear bolts I I and the front steam conducting element I0, thus providinga durable three point connection; and in order to prevent liquid 3| fromescaping from the chamber 1 past the .element I0 into the heaterconfining space, sealing washers 34, 35 are interposed between theclamping faces of the bushing I0 and body 6 and between the latter andthe shoe 8, see

The fiat electric heating elements I3 which are coniined between thelower part of the body 6 and the upper portion of the shoe 8, are ofwell known construction, and the bi-metallio thermostat I4 which isdisposed within the rear iron should'also be provided with suitableconnector posts 31 for effecting ready attachment thereof to an electriccurrent conductor cord within the recess I5 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2,and it is to be noted that the rear central recess I5 which is normallyclosed by a removable rear plate I5'J provides a protective enclosurefor the thermostat I4', and that the thermostat and connections arereadily accessible for inspection upon removal of the plate I5'.

The manipulating handle I6 may be formed of wood or plastic, and isseparated from the top A of the body 6 by the heat insulating pads I1,I8 so as to provide an air space 38 between the handle and body, inaddition to the air circulating holes I9 formed in the pads themselves.The handle I6 may be firmly but removably attached to the body 6, bymeans of several attaching screws 38 coacting with selected holes I9 ofthe front and rear pads I1, I8 and with rigid portions of the casing 6,and the pads I1, I8 should be rigidly connected to the bottom ofthehandle I8 in any suitable manner. The front attaching screw 39 shownin Fig. 3, coacts with the front tting 20 which is rmlycattached to thebody 6, while the rear attaching screw 39, coacts with an' upwardlyextending boss or projection 40 formed integral with the casing body 5,and a pin 4I secured to the handle I6 may be fitted within a centralholel in the boss 40, see Fig. 1.

'Ihe improved steam control and super-heating mechanism comprising theelement I0, iitting 20, pipe 2|, double acting valve 24, and heatingcoil 25, is adapted to deliver steam from the chamber 1 to the dome 26at the front of the shoe 8 in 4super-heated condition, and is alsoconstructed so as to permit the operator to entirelyvcut oil thedelivery of steam to the dome space 26 and ports 21 at will. The fitting20 which is rigidly attached to the main body or casing 6, and to whichthe seating nut 22 is secured, is provided with several oriccs 42'leading from the liquid confining and initial steam generating chamberI 1 to the control valve 2'4, and this valve 24 is carried by a stem 43having a head 44 at its upper end slidably confined within a bore in theupper portion of the fitting 20. The stem 43 also has an auxiliary valve45 attached thereto above the main valve 24, and this valve 45 isnormally seated against an auxiliary seat on the fitting 28 when thevalve 24 is open, by means of a compression spring 46 coacting with theiitting and with the head 44 as shown in Fig. l,

" thus providing a double acting valve assemblage.

The spring 46 constantly urges the main valve 24 toward open positionand the auxiliary valve 45 into closed position, and also coacts with asealing washer 41 which snugly embraces the stem 43 at the point of exitthereof from the fitting 20. In order to permit manual closing of themain control valve 24 by depressing the spring 46, a push button orslide 48 having a can then be utilized as slot 39 therethrough, isslidably mounted in the forward portion of the grip of the handle I6,and this slide 48 is connected to the stem head 44 by a rod 50 and ispierced by 'a xed stop pin which passes through the slot 49. When theoperator presses on the'slide button 48 the valve 24 will be closed toshut o if the steam flow past this valve, and while the auxiliarysealing valve 45 is simultaneously opened, the sealing washer 41positively prevents escape of steam along the stem 43. When the operatorreleases the button or slide 48, the valve 24 opened by the spring 46and the valve 45 is simultaneously closed to provide a dual seal forpreventing undesirable escape of steam along the stem 43. The safetyvalve 28 is of conventional design, and is adapted to permit automaticrelease of excess steam pressure from within the chamber 1.

The riser pipe 2| which nut 22 with the element I0, is rigidly attachedto these elements to provide an eliective seal, and the element Hlhas acentral inner` bore connected to an external groove 52 by means ofradial ports 53, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The grooved lowerportion of the clamping element I0 has screw thread coaction with a boss54 formed integral with the plate or shoe 8, and the inlet end of thesuper-heating pipe or coil 25 is connected to the boss 54 by means of adetachable connector 55 and communicates through a passage 56 with thegroove 52, ports 53, and pipe 2|. The opposite outlet end of the pipe 25is likewise attached to the steam distributing dome by means of adetachable connector 51, and communicates with the chamber 26 through apassage V58; andthe super-heating pipe 25 with its connectors 55, 51 areall normally confined between the body 6 and shoe 8 in direct contactwith the heating elements I3, see

Figs. 1, 2and 4.

When the improved steam electric iron has been properly constructed andassembled as above described, it may be used for diverse pressing andironing purposes, and the thermostat |4 vmay be adjusted by manipulationof the control wheel 29 so as to secure any desired degree of heating,or to` shut-off the energizing current entirely. During normal operationand use. of the iron, the heat generated by the electric heatingelements -|3, not only properly heats the shoe 8, but simultaneouslyheats the liquid 3| coniined within the chamber 1 and constantlygenerates vapor or steam in relatively moist condition.

When the slide button 48 is released and the valve 24 is open, the steamthus generated in the chamber 1, flows through the oriiice 42, pipe 2|,element I'U and passage 56, into the superheating pipe or coil 25,wherein the moist steam is converted into superheated steam devoid offree liquid. The superheated steam then ilows from the coil 25 throughthe passage 51 into the dome chamber 26 from whence it is dispersedthrough the ports 21 to the article being pressed. If no steam deliveryis desired, the operator need only to press the button 48, whereupon thevalve 24 will be closed and the steam will be cut ofi; and in case thesteam pressure Within the chamber 1 becomes excessive, then the safetyvalve 28 will promptly function to relieve the excess pressure. If nosteam is desired, liquid may be omitted from the chamber 1, and the ironvan ordinary electric iron.

From the foregoing detailed description it will is automaticallyconnects the seating said body remote u phcity of construction menthaving accessible for inspection and manipulation. The' fsteamgenerating and superheating system will obviously produce an"abundantsupply of steam, and the steam supply may be shut ofi at will withutmost safety. The operator is moreover amply protected againstexcessive heat and escaping steam, and the degree of heating can bereadily and-accurately varied at will with the aid of convenientlylocated and non-obstructive adjusting mechanism. The improved at ironalso presents a pleasing appearance, and the simin order to enhance theaesthetic appearance.

'Ihe steam electric irons embodying our invention can be manufacturedand sold at moderate cost, and the improved formation of the lowerironing plate or shoe with pointed corners at the heel also enhances theutility of the structure. The electric heating and control elements areall well protected against ingress of moisture,

while still being readily accessible for'inspection and setting.

It should be understood that it'is not desired to limit'this inventionto the exact details of construction or to the precise mode ofoperation, herein shown and described,.for various modifications withinthe scope of the appended claims, may occur to persons skilled in theart. l

We claim:

1. A flat iron comprising, a work engaging shoe having' a heaterassociated directly therewith and being provided with steam deliverypassages leading to its liquid confining body resting upon said shoe andbeing exposed to heat generated by said heater, a manipulating handlecoacting with the top of said body, a riser pipe having a hollowclamping element and a hollow iitting secured to its lower and upperends respectively and cooperating therewith to form a conduit connectingthe interior of the body with said passages, said element having anupper head clampingly engageable with said body and a lower screwthreaded end coacting with to the shoe, andsaid iitting having a lowerscrew threaded portion coacting with said body and an upper cylindricalI in said handle, means detachably connecting said handle to said uppertting portion, andother means for detachably connecting from saidfitting.

2. A flat iron comprising, a work engaging shoe having a heaterassociated directly therewith and being provided with steam deliverypassages leading to its work engaging face, a hollow liquid coni'lningbody resting upon said shoe and being eliposed to heat generated by saidheater, a manipulating handle coacting with the top of said body, ariser pipe having a hollow clamping element and a hollow iitting securedto its lower and upper ends respectively and cooperating therewith toform a conduit connecting the interior of the body with said passages,said eleend coacting with said shoe to secure the body to the shoe, andsaid iitting having a lower screw threaded portion coacting with saidbody and an will permit streamlining work engaging face, a hollow saidshoe to secure the body portion snugly engaging a bore said handle to anupper head clampingly engageable with said body and a lower screwthreaded hoss respectively for detachably securing the handle to thebody. J ,i

3. A iiat iron comprising, a work engaging shoe having a heaterassociated directly therewith and being provided with steam"deliverypassages leading to its work engaging face, a hollow liquid coniiningbody resting upon said shoe and being exposed to heat generated by saidheater, a manipulating'handle coacting with the top o1 said body, ariser pipe having a hollow clamping element and a hollow tting securedto its lower and upper ends respectively and cooperating therewith toform a, conduit connecting the interior of the body with said passages,said element having an upper head clamplngly engageable with said bodyand ailower screw threaded end coacting with said shoe to secure thebody .to the shoe, and said fitting having a lower screw threadedportion coacting with said body and an upper 'cylindrical portion snuglyengaging a bore in said handle, a vapor heating coil conned between saidbody and said shoe above said heater by said clamping element and havingone end communicating with said conduit and its op posite endcommunicating with said passages, :means detachably connecting saidhandle to said upper fitting portion, and other means for detachablyconnecting said handle to said body remote from said iittlng. l

FRED BUSCH. ALFRED WILD.

Rari-:aimons CITI-in The following references are of record in the fileof this patent: y

Number Number 330,870

UNTTED STATES PATENTS British June 19, 1930

